Based in Te Waipounamu - Southern Region
Full-time, permanent position
Be part of the team of Mātauranga Māori specialists for Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to five million New Zealanders.

We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations - from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities.

Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care.

About the role

The Senior Portfolio Lead is responsible for strengthening the Māori workforce and supporting the development and implementation of Hauora Māori standards across Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, actively contributing regional and local insights to national standards development. This role involves shaping the Hauora Māori Standards Action Plan, ensuring regional insights inform national strategies, and aligning regional initiatives with national objectives. This role also includes designing and promoting region-specific learning outcomes and training metrics that connect directly to patient and whānau outcomes.

About the Team/Service

As the Hauora Māori Service of Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, our core role is to ensure New Zealanders have better and more timely access to health care. The devolution of resources and decision making to the regions ensures those closest to service users and whānau are involved in decisions on how healthcare is delivered. We are committed to ensuring our operating model is responsive to the needs of Māori.

About you

You bring extensive expertise in data reporting and performance monitoring, underpinned by a strong foundation in Hauora Māori approaches and the application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in strategic development and delivery. With a proven track record in systems improvement and workforce planning, you have played a key role in enhancing Māori capability and wellbeing. Your ability to build and maintain strong relationships, lead cross-sector initiatives, contribute to policy development, and drive system-wide improvements is a defining strength of your leadership.

You will have:

experience in advisory or a related field with at least five to seven years of experience in a similar role within a large organisation
fluency in Tikanga and Te Reo Māori
exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft key governance documents and materials
knowledge and practical experience in applying Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches
proven analytical skills and problem-solving skills, with experience in the health sector considered an advantage.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to apply

To apply please click 'apply now'. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by Tuesday, 6 January 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Zerissa Ong zerissa.ong@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Due to the December holiday period, this advert will remain open for an extended duration. Screening and interviews will commence from mid-January. We appreciate your patience and look forward to connecting with you in the new year.

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected kaimahi (staff) will be given preference and priority for this position.

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.

We only accept online applications. Please apply via our website.

Senior Portfolio Lead jobs

Senior Portfolio Lead, Hauora Māori Standards - South Island